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Jamie finishes half the bowl before reaching for his water.

I knew he’d be easier.

I knew he was special.

CHAPTER 5

Jamie

She told me she put something in my food.

I ate it anyway. There are probably better survival instincts available to me. I scrape the last piece of potato from the bowl and eat that too.

The woman watches from beside the vanity, one hand resting on the back of the chair. She’s been watching me the whole time.

I think she enjoys watching me eat. Reminds me of when the bartender on Tenth makes a burger and watches me take every bite.

My palm still stings.

The door is open. I keep looking at it. Every time I do, my eyes find the black thing sitting on top of the cart before they make it all the way to the hallway.

I set the spoon in the empty bowl. “There. I ate. Can I go now?”

“No.”

Worth a try.

She takes my bowl and puts it back on the cart.

“What did you give me?”

“Something to help you stay calm.”

“I was calm before you kidnapped me.”

“You threw a ceramic dish at the door.”

“After you kidnapped me.”

She looks at me like I’m being a dumbass. “Do you feel sick?”

“No.”

“Dizzy?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Apparently that settles the kidnapping medication discussion.

She turns toward the wardrobe and starts fingering through the clothes.

“What are you doing?”

“Picking what you’re going to wear.”

I look down at myself. “I’m wearing clothes.”